Wicker Champions Gulf Priorities in Coast Guard Bill

Statement

U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., today praised the Senate's passage of a measure to reauthorize and support the Coast Guard's mission to defend the country on land, sea, and in the air. The legislation, H.R. 4188, includes several provisions authored by Wicker that focus on increasing grant opportunities for the Coast Guard Academy, improving the fishing vessel certification process, and updating carriage requirements for vessel survival crafts. Wicker is a senior member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, which oversees the Coast Guard.

"This bill aims to support the national security efforts of Coast Guard members to protect America's coastline, waterways, and ports, as well as perform security operations around the globe," Wicker said. "It also backs their search-and-rescue missions here at home, which were responsible for saving the lives of hundreds of Mississippians after Hurricane Katrina made landfall 10 years ago. I am pleased that the legislation includes a significant regulatory reform for vessels operating nationwide, particularly in the Gulf of Mexico. Eliminating this red-tape could potentially save taxpayers and small businesses millions of dollars."

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